Nashville Reaches Major Milestone with TVA and Local Utilities

In moving forward with its Nashville Energy Works (NEW) program, the city of Nashville, Tenn., has negotiated an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the local electric utilities to distribute financial incentives through both TVA’s existing In‐Home Energy Evaluation program and on‐bill credits with Nashville Electric Service.   

“The NEW Program is a true collaboration with the city of Nashville and TVA,” said the Southeast Energy Efficiency (SEEA) Alliance Executive Director Ben Taube. “The partnership has already led to a productive relationship that did not exist prior the SEEA Better Buildings Program grant to Nashville.”

Under a new program that will launch in early 2011, Nashville will be offering two sets of cash incentives when homeowners undertake targeted improvements that project 15% in energy savings. Qualifying participants are eligible for an upfront rebate of $200 from the city, which will be distributed through TVA. When participants enroll in Nashville’s program as part of a group of homeowners – or a team – each team member receives additional rebates that are linked to the success of the team as a whole. Those rebates will appear on the homeowners’ electric bill as an “Energy Efficiency Credit.” These credits are a superior delivery method for Nashville’s program model because it emphasizes on on‐bill energy savings rather than upfront improvement costs.

“The on-bill rebate program is a significant step for the program and collaboration with Nashville and Nashville Electric Service,” Taube noted.

These agreements with TVA and Nashville Electric Service mark a major accomplishment in demonstrating the benefits of strategic partnership between local utilities and community‐based, government‐led energy efficiency programs.    

“TVA and Nashville Electric Service are indispensable partners in the success of this program. We appreciate their cooperation in helping Nashville create an innovative approach to engaging customers in energy efficiency,” said Chris Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of Environment and Sustainability.

SEEA Technical Assistance Program Manager Jolyn Newton has worked closely with the city, TVA and Nashville Electric Service to negotiate this landmark incentive structure, as well as other substantial program components. The NEW program will be a closely watched model as other cities in the region work to develop their own energy efficiency programs. Nashville is one of the 12 cities in the SEEA Worthwhile Investments Save Energy regional consortium.